City Comparison
Union City vs Brick
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brick scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Union City
Brick
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Brick is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Union City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Union City's average rent is
21% higher than Brick's.
| Metric | Union City | Brick | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,600 | $2,150 | +21% |
| Groceries | $420 | $460 | -9% |
| Utilities | $180 | $195 | -8% |
| Transport | $110 | $140 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,540 | $3,175 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Union City offers similar average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Brick delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Union City is estimated at
$62,000 vs $62,000 in Brick.
| Metric | Union City | Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,738 idx | 57,627 idx |
| Household Income | $64,310 | $94,850 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Union City sees 4.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Union City | Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.70°F | 55.40°F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | 81.90°F |
| Winter Low | 24.70°F | 26.90°F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | 40.70 in |
| Snowfall | 19.30 in | 15.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | 244 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Union City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Union City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Union City | Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 33 min | 31 min |
| Transit Score | 82.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Walkability | 89.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Brick is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Union City.
From a growth perspective, Brick is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Brick has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Union City | Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,221 | 73,620 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 44.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Union City
Advantages
Median home property value remains more affordable than neighboring Hoboken and downtown Jersey City per 2024 Census data
Exceptional public transit connectivity featuring direct express buses to Manhattan's Port Authority in under 30 minutes
Highly walkable urban environment with dense commercial corridors like Bergenline Avenue meeting daily needs on foot
Rich cultural vibrancy and culinary diversity anchored by a prominent Hispanic heritage and community events
Proximity to major regional employment centers in New York City and Hudson County without waterfront luxury price tags
Drawbacks
High population density creates severe street parking shortages and competitive parking rules
Rental prices have risen steadily, putting cost pressure on lower-income households in the local market
Limited availability of single-family homes and private green spaces within city limits
A poverty rate exceeding 21% highlights persistent economic challenges among segments of the population
Aged housing stock in older multi-family buildings often requires frequent maintenance and capital repairs
Brick
Advantages
Proximity to Jersey Shore beaches such as Point Pleasant and Mantoloking
Extensive waterfront access with boating and lagoon living along the Metedeconk River
Violent and property crime rates significantly below the US national average
Presence of Ocean Medical Center providing top-tier local healthcare access
High rate of homeownership and established suburban neighborhoods
Drawbacks
High property taxes typical of the New Jersey suburban market
Significant car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure within town
Seasonal traffic congestion along Route 70 and Route 88 during summer months
Rising housing costs and competitive rental market driven by coastal demand
Vulnerability to coastal storms and flooding in low-lying waterfront zones
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Union City
#550New Jersey, USA
48.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,600
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
33 min
Transit Score
82.0/100
Walkability
89.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
54.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
75
Business
67
Brick
#365New Jersey, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,150
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
36.0/100
Sunny Days
244/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
79
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Union City and Brick.
Open Cost Calculator